Who brought cats to Cyprus?

yprus cats have called the island of Cyprus home for over a thousand years. According to Byzantine legend, during the 4th century, Helena of Constantinople (Saint Helen) sent hundreds of cats from Egypt and Palestine to Cyprus.

How did cats get to Cyprus?

According to Byzantine legend, Helena of Constantinople (Saint Helen) shipped hundreds of cats from Egypt or Palestine to Cyprus in 328 A.D. to control venomous snakes that had infested the area around the monastery, following a drought lasting 37 years.

What snakes can be found in Cyprus?

Snakes of Cyprus

• The Large Whip Snake (Coluber Jugularis)
• The Cyprus Whip Snake (Coluber Cypriensis)
• The Coin Snake or Ravergier’s Whip Snake (Coluber Numifer)
• The Blunt Nosed Viper (Vipera Lebetina)
• The Montpellier Snake (Malpolon Monspessulanus)
• The Cat Snake (Telescopus Fallax)

How many snakes are in Cyprus?

While Cyprus is only an island of around 1 million people or so, there’s ten known species of snakes that inhabit the island. There are only two species that are native to Cyprus, but there may be smaller colonies of other snake species.

What is the oldest breed of cat?

1. Egyptian Mau. For many experts, the Egyptian Mau could be considered the oldest cat breed in the world. It is estimated that their ancestors were first recorded more than 4000 years ago in Ancient Egypt.

Do Cypriots like cats?

It appears that in Cyprus, little value is attached to cats. Most of them are not regarded as pets. They are seen as vermin (much like rats), and as such, the majority of people refuse to take care of them. Some people also believe that animals should be left alone and that nature will take care of itself.

Why are there so many cats on Cyprus?

The reason behind the huge number of cats here can be traced back to the 4th century, when – according to legend – Roman Empress Saint Helena brought cats to Cyprus from Egypt and Palestine in order to chase snakes out of a monastery.

Why is Aphrodite called Cyprus?

For some, she was a blond goddess from the North, of Indo-European origin. But for the Ancient Greeks she was the goddess of Cyprus, born from the foam of the sea and worshipped in Paphos. References in ancient authors and archaeological evidence may prove that Aphrodite originated in Cyprus.

What is the oldest known pet?

The World’s Oldest Dog Bluey lived on a farm in Australia after he was born on June 7, 1910. From here, he went on to live a long life with owners Les and Esma Hall, happily herding sheep for over 20 years, until his death November 14, 1939.

What is the most dangerous animal in Cyprus?

What is the most dangerous animal in Cyprus? The most dangerous animal in Cyprus is either the Blunt Nosed Viper or the Montpellier Snake. A bite from either one can be fatal for an adult human.

What is the most dangerous snake in Cyprus?

Cyprian Blunt-Nosed Viper is the most lethal and poisonous snake in Cyprus. It can be easily recognized as it has a fat body and it’s not that long in length. In fact, the male snake is around 1.1 meters in length, and the female is around 1.5 meters long.

Are there sharks in Cyprus?

There are a number of sharks in Cyprus waters but sightings are rare as most are in deeper waters. Those sighted in recent years include the Mako, Basking and Blue sharks.

Is it illegal to kill snakes in Cyprus?

According to Nicolaou, EU and national legislation on killing snakes is strict. A person who kills a snake can face up to three years in prison and €10,000 in fines. Despite this, fines for killing snakes have yet to be imposed in Cyprus. Uploading pictures of dead snakes on social media is illegal, he added.

Which side of Cyprus is warmest?

Temperatures. Cyprus has one of the warmest climates and warmest winters in the Mediterranean part of the European Union. The average annual temperature on the coast is around 24 °C (75 °F) during the day and 14 °C (57 °F) at night. Generally, the warm season lasts about eight months.

How many poisonous snakes are there in Cyprus?

Cyprus is home to 8 species of snake. Of these 8, 5 are non- venomous and 3 are venomous. Of the 3 venomous snakes, only 1 is dangerous to humans, this snake is the blunt-nosed viper. As in other places, the snakes in Cyprus are very beneficial to the ecosystem, and to humans, as a form of pest control.